Jack Milner
A rematch between Quid Pro Quo and Spumante Dolce is now looking a very possibility at Turffontein on Saturday 1 March.
After her impressive win over the colts if the Grade 2 Betway Dingaans last November, the Barend Botes-trained three-year-old filly went off a hot favourite to win the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas over 1600m at Turffontein on 1 February. However, the sparkle she brought to the Dingaans was not there and it was Mike de Kock-trained Spumante Dolce who brough the fizz into the race, keeping running gamely to beat a fast-finishing VJ’s Angel by a neck with Quid Pro Quo a further 0.25 lengths back in third.
It was a courageous performance from the winner but many people felt Quid Pro Quo had felt the effects of having her second run after a lengthy layoff.
After the Dingaans, Quid Pro Quo changed hands for an undisclosed amount and there was an indication the Fillies Guineas would be her last run. However, closer to the time there were indications that as a result of not being able to get her on a flight out of the country before May, the daughter of Lance would have two more races in South Africa before travelling overseas.
The two concerned are the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m on March 1, and the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes over 1600m.
Then the story changed that Quid Pro Quo would be on the first flight out whenever it became available and her participation in any further races in South Africa would be dependent on that.
However, it is worth noting that Botes has produced three early entries for the Fillies Classic, and Quid Pro Quo’s name is in the mix, so hopefully she will be in action at the meeting as planned.